Employees in UniSource’s Cottonwood office have picked up trash and cleaned up a stretch of a busy commercial street as a volunteer effort every year since at least 2000.

Between six and 10 employees participate in Adopt-a-Street cleanups twice a year each October and April on Willard Street – the same thoroughfare as their office. With just 19 employees in the Cottonwood office, the turnout is high for the morning cleanups.

“We do feel a little bit of pride because our office is on that street. This is our community,” said Monette Fanning, Operations Support Analyst II, who helped start the program. “Our employees all believe in this project. We all enjoy it.”

Fanning said the Community Action Team decided to join the Adopt-the Street program when members were looking for a new project nearly two decades ago. An Adopt-the Street sign with UniSource’s name sits on Willard. The city supplies the vests, bags and tools for the jobs.

The most recent cleanup was held Oct. 18 with nine volunteers.

City Manager Doug Bartosh noticed the group and sent an email with a compliment.

“I wanted to pass along my thanks for the effort you and your crews provide in not only keeping our streets clean, but in your general support of the community,” Bartosh wrote. “Your guys are great community partners.”